First day’s filming today, on the NEW POLDARK.
The twittersphere is alive with anticipation as the cast and crew embark on the journey.
I’m looking forward to joining the caravan in May.
Jacqueline, make-up supremo, emailed this morning with ideas and images (facial hair!) and I’m already experiencing moments of anxiety about my first day.
First days are fraught.
My first day at my pre-prep school, aged 4, I left the school mid-morning and walked home– a mile at least.
A couple of days later, I’d fallen in love with beautiful Miss Rosemary and nothing could keep me away–much to my mother’s relief.
From my memoir, Making Poldark, the first day’s filming in 1975 –a typical spring day in Cornwall:
It was bitterly cold and dank.
Another bitterly cold and dank day!
We were in Towednack churchyard near St. Ives. I remember it well.
Contrary to rumour, I was born without a scar–so on went the first scar of many, made unromantically of glue; on went the make-up and the back-piece of hair.
My hair had been dyed darker with copper tints for the part.
I put on my black mourning coat–the scene was Uncle Charles’ funeral–and my specially-made boots and there I was: Captain Ross Poldark.
But as the day wore on and they still didn’t get to my bit, I began to wonder. I saw the director looking worried and thought at first it must be the weather.
Then I thought maybe it’s my hair, then my scar, then my FACE.
Then I thought: my God, it’s ME!
They don’t want ME!
They think they’ve made a mistake. They’re re-casting–the lines are hot to London and actors are streaming into the producer’s office with the sun in their eyes–it was fine in London–and they’re all Olympic equestrians.
‘Robin, will you come to the graveside please?’‘
‘Of course, I’ve got it–I mean–of course I will.’
I’d started at last.
Good luck to Aidan and Eleanor and everyone–(me included)!
Robin Ellis 
I agree first days are fraught. The first day of each class in each term I’ve taught (and I began in 1972) is still somewhat fraught. I started teaching in a new place, retired people for the first time (American University, DC), and it was very fraught. I was watching Eleanor Tomlinson as Georgiana Darcy in _Death Comes to Pemberley_ last night: she’s superb as an actress.
Agreed about Eleanor–she was superb as Georgiana.
Hope you don’t start walking home when you start filming!!…..just think of all the things Angharad used to say when things got a bit tough…..it’s all going to be good 🙂
Filming already! Best of luck. Please tell me that your dates in May don’t coincide with the cooking workshop!
They don’t, Jennifer!
I hope they don’t cover up that handsome face of yours with facial hair!!
Cant wait to see the new Poldark – but yours will always be the best!! We live near Penzance and would love to know where they are filming? Or do they have a wesite to follow. Love all your posts. Thank you . Juliet
Does this mean that we’ll be welcoming you back to Cornwall Robin? I do hope so!
Not sure where we’ll be, Sue.
Never mind! Just hope you have fun while you’re here.
Good luck Robin – have fun!
Thanks, Alison.
Congratulations! This is exciting.
On Mon, Apr 14, 2014 at 10:08 AM, Robin Ellis
Thanks Fiona.
I’ve tried and tried to keep an open mind about this new production but I’m afraid there will only ever be one Ross for me – and that’s you. I can still picture you galloping over the heath on Darkie. What was Elizabeth thinking of?Good luck and happiness in your new role. I know all your fans will be longing to see you.
Thanks Julia.
I’m so excited to thing the ball is finally rolling. I have such a good feeling that all concerned are mindful of the passionate loyalty we legion fans have for the original series and the wonderful books. I am sure they’re going to do us proud.
Mammoth TV is very mindful!
Love the updates!!
There will always be just one Ross Poldark. My husband and I fell in love with each other all over again as we watched your tremendous romance unfold. Robin, it will be painful to see someone else play your part. Even our little kids have enjoyed watching the snippets of Poldark we’ve shown to them. It was thrilling, poignant and passionate. We are so grateful you are a part of the new production and we wish you much joy as you weave your magic.
We have a newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetic son (age 12) and we follow your blog with tremendous interest and gratitude. You are a blessing to the diabetic world and your love of life, food and fun is inspirational to us all.
We hope to attend your cooking school someday soon since we travel to France with our children each summer. Once we make a childcare arrangement for our little men it would be a joy to cook with you.
Love,
Tara Bryant-Gray and Dr. Edward Gray
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Tara, thank you for your v kind words. I am sorry to hear about your son’s diagnosis. It is specially hard at his age. He is lucky though to have loving parents who are 100% on the case. I hope you will make it over for a workshop–I look forward to it. Please say hello to your son and wish him well from me. A un de ces jours, alors!
Don’t feel a moment of anxiety Robin….think of all of us out here knowing we will see you again on film and cheering you on. You will always be Ross Poldark to us, but we are glad a new generation will get the chance to see the wonderful story you helped create. Knowing you are a part of this new production, even though it is bittersweet with the loss of so many of the originals, well its just wonderful for all of us. We, your loyal fans, wish you the time of your life. Bless all of you on this great new journey. Hugs from America, Judy Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 14:08:37 +0000 To: jheilich@msn.com
Thanks, Judy, very generous and much appreciated.
I was going to write my own comment but you said everything I wanted to say. xo
No doubt it will be daunting, but must be thrilling all the same. Go for it and embrace the joy!
I live in the US so I am will probably not see the new Poldark for awhile. I do have the DVDs and I watch them often. Love you as Ross. No one can compare to you.
Thank you, Barbara!
Good luck to you all – how I loved the original Poldark – looking forward to seeing the new one too!:) x
Break a leg! I guess I’ll watch it when it comes to the states, but you’ll always have my heart!
Thanks Denise!
Very funny to read you didn’t change a bit since you were a small boy.In fact you are still the same and feel the same starting emotions . Don’t know if you fall in love on the set but you have already got a wonderful love Meredith!
Be glad you are in the coach!
You are right there, Caroline
Too kind, thanks Dianne.
You were and still are Captain Ross Poldark to me!! Good Luck in the new role, not that you will need it! God Bless!
Thanks, Bernadette.
Funny to hear that you get the jitters, too, Robin. 20 years on and I never sleep well the night before a new school year begins–thoughts of: “Will I still have it?” “Will the kids be good?” etc,, etc. Gene’s the same way. But you know what? YOU STILL HAVE IT! 🙂
Cheers & hugs!
Too kind, thanks Dianne.
What an exciting time for you!! Best of luck. Hopefully, you will be able to post behind the scenes pictures of you during the filming via Meredith’s expert skill with the camera.
Thanks for the good wishes.
So many celebrities seem to become other-worldly when they do interviews or make appearances–as if the worries and difficulties are only for others now, not for themselves any longer. Your honesty is much like your recipes–there is simplicity, there is accessibility, and there is the thrill/relief of the success. Thank you for sharing your “first-day” jitters with us.
Thanks Elaine–for those kind remarks.
Where have all the years gone? Arrr well I have 2 handsome sons to show for it :-))
Oh heavens, where! but congratulations, Shirley!
I am struggling to envisage Jack Farthing (Blandings) as George Warleggan! I look forward to being pleasantly surprised.
Good luck when you start filming – although there are so many of us rooting for you and just delighted that you are involved and will appear on screen again, you will be fine. We are all on your side! Just sad that so many of the original cast are gone too soon.
P.S. By the way, I always wondered why the lovely Richard Morant was replaced in Series 2. Was it a clash of schedules?
Thanks Susan. Richard didn’t want to do more.
Thanks for sharing your first day nerves. We are so excited to know you’ll be part of the new Poldark series. There will never be another “Ross” for us, but time moves on. And because times have changed, you graciously share your recipes and life through this blog. I am enjoying every entry. Thanks Robin.
Joanne, thank you–I’m happy you enjoy the blog–I enjoy doing it.
Robin you will be just fine, remember you have walked this way before and with Meredith and all us at your back you be great. Good Luck and Best Wishes
Thanks, Elaine–I’m looking forward to it!
Thank you for these wonderful blogs. I am an American who only discovered Captain Poldark a year ago through Netflex. I was so hooked I watched every episode as I was convalescing . I fell in love with all the characters. I had to know more about the actors themselves ,where are they now and what are they doing. Imagine my surprise to hear that the Captain is a cook! It was exciting to learn that you had written a cookbook for those with diabetes plus. I discovered your blog and enjoy many of your healthy recipes Your anecdotes about your life in France with Meridith, your cats and friends are a welcome treat for me. I have never been to Europe but I feel that I have visited you at your home in the countryside. Beautiful. Now to be hearing of this next chapter of your life through your eyes is the icing on the cake. Please keep informing us of the progress of the filming of the new Poldark. As always I look forward to hearing all about your adventures.
Thank you
Jo Ann Wise
Sent from my iPhone
>
Thanks Jo Ann for your generous comment–much appreciated.
confused about the actor you are to play
in the remake, Mr. Ellis…
you state it is Dr. Halse, yet it is Reverend
Johns who shares the ride with Ross to
Truro in the first scene of the original…
Phil
I just read the episode in the book (Ross Poldark) and it is Dr Halse who is in the coach. The adaptor of the first series must have changed the name!
You haven’t mentioned your neighbour Captain McNeil for a bit. I hope he is well and still producing his cucumber soup. He will also be a hard act to follow in the re-make. I think I mentioned once that we met once in Warsaw one dank November day in the late 1980s. He won’t remember me, but I remember him and send him my regards.
Hello again Robin,
I can’t tell you how chuffed I was that you answered my previous comment ! Can’t wait to tell my girls ! They are 30 and 36 and love Poldark as much as their mum !
I often wish that the original cast could have had the chance to make further series of the original books .They told such a wonderful story. I think its such a shame that you and Angharad never had the opportunity to take on the roles of the older Ross and Demelza . I have always thought it such a loss.
I seem to remember that at one time it may have been the horizon , but it all went awry . Is it something you wish could have happened , or were you happy to have things left as they were ? Its something I’ve always wondered about.
Loved the story about you as a four year old !
Love Heather x
Hi Heather–the story of the series that never was is told in Making Poldark…
Yes, we ALL thought that would be a marvelous idea. I wrote everybody I could think of — Mr. Graham, the BBC, studio heads at PBS. I always swore if I won obscene amounts at the lottery I would MAKE it happen! Now when I read the books they are populated with the original cast, just a bit older.
Best of luck and much love to you and Meredith on your new venture.
Nancy N
Thanks Nancy.
I am a transplant to the US from england in my teens. I discovered Poldark on Friday nights as a teen and opted for that than a date. I LOVED all the characters and the story. I would love to find them again and introduce my girls to them. I am so glad you are keeping well and still have a connection with this new project. I had always said that had I had a son he would be Ross but as I had only girls, it wasnt to be…take care best of luck in all that you do.
Than you Fiona.
Sideburns I suppose for “facial hair.”
I can just see a small boy of 4, one foot followed by the other, determined to get home! Then, upon second look, a beautiful teacher to love. Very nice story.
When I was a little girl, I was so painfully shy I literally hid behind my mother’s skirt if an adult tried to talk to me. It wasn’t until my college years and marriage to my husband that I fully realized, with his love and positivity, that I could be secure in life. He always told me to trust in myself. I was privileged to have him with me for 18 years, tragically, he died of cancer (non-hodgkins lymphoma) May 9, 1999 (incidentally, he was born in 1942, same as you). He was only 57 yrs. old (and 12 yrs. my senior).
Anxiety is still a part of me, but I have often proven to myself that the anticipation of the “First day” of a very special occasion, new job for instance, is much worst than the actual first day. I find that when the day is done, I am very proud of my success in knowing I conquering every moment of that day. It puts a great big smile on my face, and a giant sigh of relief!
Enjoy your very special occasion, and NEW first day, It will be a blast!
I’m sorry to hear about your husband, Anne. Thanks for your good wishes.
Thank you Robin. You are very kind. If you do not mind me asking, when in 1999 were you diagnosed with T-2 diabetes? We both have T-1 diabetes in our families (my little brother had T-1). Curious why and when it could present, especially in seemingly healthy people?
The first day is the worst i suffer from anxiety alot. I usually do some mediation first that is how I face things.
worse, and conquered….sorry about that! I hate it when I miss my own editing!
Robin you will be great I loved you in the original Poldark. I have seen the dvd many times over. Sometimes I wished I lived back then the sense of family was a lot better to what it is today. i have a photo of you as Poldark on my dressing table. My mom and sister liked Francis Best but I loved you Delmeza and Verity. Can;t wait to see the new series. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Lisa.
You are Welcome. I hope you and Meredith Have a Great Easter.Take Care
Hello Robin,
Are we able to see a picture of you, aged 4?
Very best wishes for your return to acting – at least you know you won’t get arrested this time.
Still think of you as Ross when I read the books – you almost matched Winston Graham’s description of Ross to the letter!
I am hoping to introduce my granddaughter to the joys of Poldark with the new series, even though she is only 9. Her mother loves it too.
I’ll look to see about photos, Sophie-Jane.
Nice to think a new generation is going to have the chance to see a new adaptation.
Look forward to seeing the new Polark when it finally gets to “The New World”:. 🙂 Am re watching the original; a classic! Recently purchased a Sense & Sensibility DVD. What fun to see you & Clive Francis playing opposite each other again.
That’s a while ago!
Indeed! But once again, you played the hero!
We are all glad you got a cameo in the new series of “Poldark”. BBC’s also made a series of “Jamaica Inn” by Daphne du Maurier to be screened next week. I liked the film version of that starring Robert Newton and Charles Laughton.
Wishing you and Meredith a nice Easter!
So exciting and so much fun to read about it on your blog. Best of luck to you!
Thanks, Barbara.
My husband and I got married in 1975. We were glued to Poldark and we WERE Ross and Demelza! It was however a bitter sweet experience as he had to catch a train to go off to a course just after the programme finished each week. I would be waving “Ross” off at the station with my handkerchief. I have read and re-read the Poldark books every ten years or so and had just started “Ross Poldark” again when, imagine my surprise and delight when I heard that a new series was being made!! Can’t wait to relive it all again, although it can’t be as good as the original!!
For the last two years we have been dealing with my husband’s brain tumours. We thank God for every day we have together. I am enjoying escaping each day with Ross and Demelza, reliving the first series and looking forward to the new one in 2015. Best wishes to all involved with this new venture.